5740C BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEMS

JimmyBean · Oct 13, 2006

HELLO EVERYONE,
I HAVE A 5740C PURCHASED MAY OF 2005. SOMETIME IN THE FIRST YEAR, I HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED. IT JUST QUIT WORKING AND UPON REMOVING IT, I FOUND THE SWITCH WAS STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. IT HAD ACTED FUNNY A FEW WEEKS PRYOR TO THIS. IT WOULD BE ON WITHOUT THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED. NOW WE COME TO PRESENT DAY AND THIS WEEK, AFTER ACTING SIMILAR TO BEFORE, THE SWITCH ENDED UP GETTING SO HOT I SMELLED IT AND VERY QUICKLY TORE OFF THE SIDE PANEL AND PULLED THE PLUG. THERE WAS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT I WAS ONLY SECONDS FROM AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
I AM POSTING THIS FOR EVERYONE'S REFERENCE TO THE PROBLEM. I FEEL MONTANA SHOULD FIX THIS BUT I AM TOLD NOW MY TRACTOR IS OUT OF THAT PART OF THE WARRANTY. I WOULD THINK AN ON GOING PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED PROPERLY JUST TO KEEP CUSTOMERS HAPPY. I COULD HAVE LOST MY WHOLE TRACTOR THAT DAY. I GUESS I AM LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE FIRST FAILURE. THAT LEAD ME TO BELIEVE IT COULD BE THE SAME SWITCH AGAIN. ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM?
THANKS,
JIMMYBEAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA

Doc_Bob · Oct 13, 2006

What does a new switch cost? Can you come up with a substitute that would not be a Montana part?
Bob

JimmyBean · Oct 13, 2006

Hi Bob,
Not sure what the Montana part costs. I am reluctant to use another one because of two failures already. This one upsets me to think it almost caused a fire. Yes, I am looking to retrofit maybe an automotive type. If anyone knows of a switch with approx. 14mm threaded end to go into the bracket and is off with the button pushed in / on with the button out, let me know.
Jim

Maka · Oct 14, 2006

Jimmybean,did a dealer do the first replacement while under warranty or did you? If the dealer did it then he knows he replaced it and may work with you to correct it. If you did it yourself then that may be a different story. Not knowing the circumstances makes it hard for me to really say.

I have not seen problems like this personally and I have not heard of this type of problem from other dealers or Montana but that does not mean a whole lot. If others have had this then I am sure it will come up here. In any case I know the switches are inexpensive.

Maka

BRUSHTAMERS · Oct 14, 2006

Dealer replaced mine at 200 hour service because it had quit working.Never noticed that it had heated up to the point of smelling hot though.

JimmyBean · Oct 14, 2006

Maka,
The dealer ordered in the switch and I picked it up and installed it myself. They are checking for me to see if the switch has a warranty of it's own. Not heard anything for a few days from them. I just worry that there was a faulty batch of these out there. Brushtamers said his quit also.
Jim

Maka · Oct 14, 2006

Jimmybean. If there was a batch of faulty switches I have not seen one and I know I have sold many many Montana's and I think I would have seen it because I seem to find any bugs that exist.

This does not mean it could not be, I just have not had it. Keep us posted.

Thanks,
Maka

JimmyBean · Nov 2, 2006

Hi Maka,
Well the dealer finally got back to me. They had replaced the original switch just before 1st year warranty, which was June of 2006. Now 4 months later, the second one bites the dust. They inform me it's not covered under the warranty. Then it costs $16 plus $8.25 shipping. At that point I told them to keep the switch because I retrofited a small micro switch and adapted the tab on the foot pedal with a 1/4" bolt and 2 jam nuts for an acuator. Cut the pigtail off the old switch and wired to the new one. Used 1 1/2" piece of 1" aluminum angle to mount the switch and hooray, back in business. The whole job took about 1/2 hour tops and was free because I had all the parts on hand.
Maka are you familiar with the adjustment of the PTO on the 5740C. I understand there is an adjustment at the rear end of the tractor. Mine just starts with a hard bang, even at the idle. It is very hard on equipment that way.
Thanks,
Jim